EDINBURGH EXPERT WALKING TOURS - BLOG

In some parts of the world (chiefly North America, it seems) April 9 is celebrated as National Unicorn Day. What you may not know is that the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland, often featuring in a variety of heraldic designs and logos across the country.

The choice of animal might seem a little unusual - it is a mythical creature, after all, unlike the Highland coo, which is justly celebrated as an iconic beast, and a popular subject for Sottish-themed imagery. We could even have chosen the Loch Ness Monster (another mythical animal with rather more direct association with Scotland) but instead we elected to have the unicorn represent our nation on the zoological stage.

The unicorn was originally, chosen, it seems, for the values and characteristics embodied by this animal. Famously needing to run free and not be constrained by any man-made force (some myths have the unicorns dying out in the Old Testament flood, rather than board Noah's ark) there is certainly a spirit of independence captured in the unicorn's behaviour.

They were also considered proud, noble creatures, embodying the spirit of the Scottish nobility, and used in family crests with royal permission to recognise family service to king and country.

A lion and a unicorn in a relief crest on Parliament Square in Edinburgh

In 1603, when James VI of Scotland took the throne of England (becoming James I of England) the unicorn joined the lion (representing England) on the British royal insignia. Two versions of the crest exist, one in which the lion is crowned and the unicorns stands on the right hand side of the crest, and a Scottish version in which the unicorn and lion are transposed, with the lion now on the right hand side. In this version, both lion and unicorn are adorned with crowns.

(Note the different mottos of the respective countries on the bands beneath the crests: England's translates as 'God and my right'; Scotland's is 'No one provokes me with impunity'...)

Traditionally, when featuring in a heraldic form, the unicorn is shown wearing a golden chain, securing it to the ground. This is a nod to the mythical beliefs that unicorns were magical and therefore unpredictable, and therefore dangerous. Some would suggest that in modern times, the chaining of the unicorn embodies the relationship between Scotland and England, with the unicorn unable to roam freely and independently.

Unicorn figures can be found all across Scotland - the emblem of Stirling Castle, for example, is a unicorn design - as well as around Edinburgh.